TM Disseminating Research to Policymakers Gina Burkhardt Learning

TM Disseminating Research to Policymakers Gina Burkhardt Learning Point Associates August 25, 2005

Education Policymakers: Who Are They? Ø Superintendents and other local education officials (school board members) Ø Chief state school officers; State Boards of Education Ø State higher education executive officers Ø State legislators Ø Governors and their educational policy advisors Ø State legislators Ø Congress and their staff members Ø Education association directors 2 www. learningpt. org

Related to Research, Policymakers say they…. Ø Read research reports some or most of the time Ø Get information from the Internet, electronic mailing lists, ERIC, professional conferences, RELs, journals, magazines, professional organizations 3 www. learningpt. org

About Research? Policymakers Say that…. . Ø Much of what they receive is overly academic, and too theoretical Ø Most does not meet their immediate needs Ø Most does not specifically address differences in demographics or geography Ø Most is too often based on methodology that is less than rigorous Ø Most is often biased by political or marketing agendas Synectics 2003 4 www. learningpt. org

Most Helpful Research? Policymakers say …. . Ø Is timely and provides reliable data for answering common questions about complex issues Ø Is based on rigorous methodology and is delivered by credible sources Ø Addresses current and critical state policy issues TQ Source Survey 2004 5 www. learningpt. org

Using the Research? Policymakers say it can … Ø Clarify an issue (i. e. , making it more complex or more simple) Ø Identify and provide options to consider Ø Make a compelling argument to strengthen and enlarge coalitions Ø Help to reorder the political agenda by moving a problem up or down in priority Ø Affect the design of specific provisions in a law or policy 6 www. learningpt. org

Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do? Ø Know your audience and address their issue Ø Don’t assume background knowledge Ø Present findings of interest (delete the extraneous) Ø Present timely, accurate information Ø Offer relevant scenarios – include interpretation and application of the research 7 www. learningpt. org

Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do? Ø Provide policy recommendations Ø Apply a journalistic approach (headlines, executive summaries, chapter summaries) Ø Use language that is accessible and jargon-free Ø Provide questions that could be asked answers that can be delivered 8 www. learningpt. org

Connecting Research to Policymakers: How to do it? Ø Use multiple modalities (full reports and summaries, audio and print, internet and hard copy, in-person and remote) Ø Network, network – build relationships and nurture them continuously Ø Identify and work through a key conduit Ø Be proactive and provide information upfront as policy issues are percolating 9 www. learningpt. org

Apply Research to Policymaking in order to…. . Ø Set and/or validate agenda Ø Guide the questions asked as the policy is designed Ø Identify complexities and/or considerations Ø Identify gaps in knowledge and application Ø Connect action across localities 10 www. learningpt. org

Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking Ø Policy decisions will become based on fact rather than assumption and/or anecdote Ø Research will become more accessible, understandable, contextual, defensible Ø Research and Policy practices will be pushed to include quality assurance mechanisms 11 www. learningpt. org

Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking Ø Policy will drive research and research will drive policy decisions Ø Research will become an essential ingredient in setting a federal, state or local policy agenda Ø More constituencies will be equipped to advocate for and/or question research and policies practices and decisions 12 www. learningpt. org

Recommendations to Support a Connection Ø Ensure there is a strong underlying research methodology and quality assurance practice (if the audience does not like what they are hearing this is the first line of attack) Ø Don’t get lost in detail – make your message accessible and direct. Speak first to the constituents’ primary concern Ø Find a key conduit and develop and nurture a relationship 13 www. learningpt. org

Recommendations to Support a Connection Ø Don’t make assumptions about your audience’s background, knowledge, or level of ability to interpret or adapt the research to complex contexts or situations Ø Offer to provide application support. Beware of “hot buttons” taking over the more important message Ø Release information in small chunks, in sequence, and pay attention to writing good summaries 14 www. learningpt. org

Recommendations to Support a Connection Ø Beware of politicize possibilities Ø Use multiple modalities that are jargon free and include graphics Ø Emphasize the results 15 www. learningpt. org

And most importantly do not ever say…. . IT DEPENDS!!!! 16 www. learningpt. org

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